There’s A Difference

Between a Credential and a Certification

A CREDENTIAL is the highest level of proof supporting an individual’s educational or professional achievement. The credential is issued by a third party with authoritative power and is proof of an individual’s qualification or competence in a given subject. Possessing a credential not only helps one to prove competency and capability in a given field but also demonstrates to one’s community and employers that the individual is competent, properly trained and equipped to carry out his or her duties. To sit for a credential exam, an individual must possess certain requirements — a set level of education, experience or a combination of both. Credentials serve as verification that a professional has achieved a baseline level of competency in his or her subject matter.

CERTIFICATION is another form of validating an individual’s educational or professional achievement. Although not as scrutinous or in-depth as credentialing, certification is a process that recognizes and validates an individual’s qualifications in a certain subject. Certificates verify that a professional has achieved a baseline level of competence in a complicated subject area and assures employers that an individual is capable of handling the challenges his or her job responsibilities present. Certifications must be renewed periodically, generally through completed continuing education units.

A certificate program is a program of education that results in the issuance of a certificate of completion rather than an educational degree. Often these certificates are issued by the educational institution, therefore do not carry the weight of a credential. Certificate programs educate individuals about one particular aspect of their field and supplement an individual’s prior education — preparing him or her to work in another arena within the same professional field.

AGNP credentials notaries public according to defined and rigorous standards. The focus is entirely on the practice and performance of notarial services according the laws, rules, ethics, and best practices of the profession.

AGNP Credentialed Notaries often receive certifications specific to certain industry-specific requirements, such as loan signings, or apostille facilitation, that enhance the adjunct services they provide in conjunction with the notarial acts performed.